How to eat well on a tight budget: local tips

Fresh produce prices at Coles in Subiaco soared again last week, with a single head of broccoli hitting $5.50. For many Perth residents, especially students, retirees and young families, these cost increases are making healthy eating feel out of reach.

Perth hasn’t been immune to the national squeeze on household budgets, and the challenge of eating well is more pressing as local temperatures hit new records. Demand for nutritious, budget-friendly food options is surging as more people head outdoors for walks around Kings Park or participate in the weekly Kings Park parkrun. Dietitians say healthy choices matter even more when the heat rises and activity levels follow.

Market smarts and community resources

One of the first stops for budget-conscious shoppers is the Manning Farmers Market, open each Saturday morning on Manning Road. Local volunteers at the Foodbank Perth branch on Abernethy Road in Belmont have also reported higher turnout since April. "We see families prioritising fresh fruit and vegetables when they can, but it's a careful balancing act," says a program coordinator (who requested not to be identified as per Foodbank policy).

A bag of mixed carrots or apples from Manning market can go for as little as $2.50—far cheaper than at many supermarkets in the CBD or along Hay Street Mall. Foodbank’s low-cost pantry items, like canned beans for 80c a tin, offer another lifeline. Over in Northbridge, the City of Perth’s "Healthy Eating on a Budget" workshops at the Northbridge Piazza Community Centre have been fully booked since May, catering to everyone from international students at UWA to local pensioners living in Highgate.

The numbers behind the challenge

According to the West Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS), the average WA household spent $176 per week on groceries in 2025, up 13% from 2023. The ABS Consumer Price Index confirms fresh fruit and vegetable costs in greater Perth climbed 9.8% in the twelve months to March. Grocery staples like brown rice now sell for $4.20 per 2kg bag at Woolworths in Victoria Park, compared to $2.90 last year.

With little sign of prices easing, local dietitians recommend planning meals around what’s in season, checking supermarket catalogues for weekly specials, and buying in bulk where possible. The City of Perth’s free seasonal produce guides, available at Claisebrook Library, help shoppers pick the best value foods each month. Several neighbourhood co-ops, including Grow Free Bayswater, operate "sharing carts" along Beechboro Road where anyone can swap or take surplus homegrown produce—no cash needed.

For those keen to take action, the City of Perth website provides an updated list of local food relief charities and regular cooking workshops. Check council noticeboards or the Perth City Farm events calendar for tips on low-cost meal prep and bulk-buy cooking. While high grocery bills won’t vanish overnight, getting to know local markets and support programs can make healthy eating a reality—even as Perth’s heat and food prices climb.